The city says that the number of homeless people is down but that the number of people living in “unsheltered locations” like encampments is up.
Homeless encampments use repurposed ice fishing tents used for shelter underneath the Dan Ryan Expressway in East Pilsen. | Anthony Vazquez
In the past year, two tent encampments have been cleared by the city, but people are still living in tents and green spaces and under viaducts throughout the city.
As President Trump begins a high-profile campaign to clear encampments in D.C., we look at the ways being homeless is criminalized, the strain on residents when there are encampments in parks and what the city and social service organizations are doing to find homes for the unhoused.
Reset learns more.
GUESTS: Sendy Soto, Chicago Chief Homelessness Officer
David Wywialowski, director of Outreach and Health, Night Ministry
Doug Schenkelberg, executive director, Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness
Mark Ishaug, CEO, Thresholds
“What the President’s proposed with this latest assault in D.C., with his budget proposal, with his executive order, on and on and on, is about punishing people for experiencing homelessness rather than helping solve the problem.”
– Doug Schenkelberg, executive director of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness
